Besides the pharmacy, the CVS at 12th and Merchant also offers a grocery section, photo lab and cosmetics. Brockhoff says the store is also civic-minded, raising money for different health-related causes like ALS and heart research.

CVS first announced it was expanding to Emporia in 2012. Construction began last summer. Several businesses moved to make room, while an apartment complex and three single-family homes were demolished in the process.